7.4
Movie
Directing
Richard Leacock
- Born
- Died
- (aged 89)
- Birthplace
- London, UK
- Credits
- 74 titles
Biography
Richard Leacock (July 18, 1921 – March 15, 2011) was a pioneering American-born filmmaker, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of the cinéma vérité movement. He was a key influence on the development of observational documentary filmmaking, known for his innovative use of handheld cameras and his emphasis on capturing spontaneous, real-time events. Leacock's most notable works include Primary (1960), which followed John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey during the 1960 Democratic primary campaign, and Chronicle of a Summer (1961), co-directed with Jean Rouch, a landmark film in the cinéma vérité genre. Throughout his career, Leacock collaborated with other influential filmmakers, including Robert Drew and D.A. Pennebaker, and helped shape the way documentaries were made. His legacy continues to influence contemporary documentary filmmakers.
Signature work
Known For
7.4
Movie
6.3
Movie
Working Girls
6.3
Movie
Louisiana Story
6.3
Movie
Sherman's March
6.5
Movie
Primary
7.4
Movie
Shake! Otis at Monterey
7.5
Movie
Jimi Plays Monterey
6.9
Movie
Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment
7.2
Movie
Original Cast Album: Company
5.8
Movie
Jazz Dance
4.2
Movie
Maidstone
5.9
Movie
A Happy Mother's Day
6.2
Movie
1 P.M.
7.6
Movie
Integration Report 1
5.5
Movie
Adventures on the New Frontier
7.2
Movie
Chiefs
7.6
Movie
Lulu in Berlin
8.4
Movie
Chuck Berry: Rock and Roll Music
Acting credits 20
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Monica in the South Seas Film | Self |
| 2016 | Robert Drew & Associates at the Museum of Tolerance Film | Self |
| 2014 | How To Smell A Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock at his Farm in Normandy Film | Self |
| 2012 | Ricky on Leacock Film | Self |
| 2011 | My Paris Movie Film | |
| 2011 | Mario Ruspoli, Prince of the Whales Film | Self |
| 2010 | A Boatload of Wild Irishmen Film | Self |
| 2008 | Morris Engel: The Independent Film | Self |
| 2000 | As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty Film | Self |
| 2000 | The Last Documentary Film | Self |
| 1997 | Birth of a Nation Film | Self |
| 1992 | Cinéma! Cinéma! The French New Wave Film | Self |
| 1989 | Message to Man Film | Self |
| 1987 | Working Girls Film | Joseph |
| 1986 | Sherman's March Film | Self - Historical Narration (voice) |
| 1984 | Lulu in Berlin Film | Self - Interviewer |
| 1984 | Ein Film für Bossak und Leacock Film | |
| 1975 | Solstice and Solyanka Film | |
| 1972 | Reality's Invisible Film | Self |
| 1971 | 1 P.M. Film | Self |
Crew credits 57
| Year | Title | Job |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Monica in the South Seas Film | Camera Operator |
| 2011 | BodySongs Film | Camera Operator |
| 2008 | A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy Film | Cinematography, Editor |
| 2002 | Monterey Pop - The Outtake Performances Film | Cinematography |
| 1999 | Flora Natapoff - An American Painter Film | Director |
| 1992 | Chuck Berry: Rock and Roll Music Film | Camera Operator |
| 1991 | Les oeufs à la coque de Richard Leacock Film | Director |
| 1987 | Shake! Otis at Monterey Film | Camera Operator |
| 1987 | Jimi Plays Monterey Film | Camera Operator |
| 1986 | Louise Brooks Film | Director |
| 1984 | Lulu in Berlin Film | Director, Producer |
| 1983 | Community of Praise Film | Director |
| 1982 | Middletown TV | Director (1 ep) |
| 1981 | Rebuilding an Old Japanese House Film | Director |
| 1980 | Light Coming Through: A Portrait of Maud Morgan Film | Director |
| 1977 | Centerbeam Film | Director |
| 1973 | Little Richard: Keep on Rockin' Film | Director of Photography |
| 1971 | 1 P.M. Film | Director, Director of Photography, Producer |
| 1971 | Maidstone Film | Cinematography |
| 1970 | Queen of Apollo Film | Director, Camera Operator |
| 1970 | Original Cast Album: Company Film | Director of Photography |
| 1968 | Chiefs Film | Director |
| 1968 | Monterey Pop Film | Camera Operator |
| 1968 | French Lunch Film | Director of Photography |
| 1968 | Two American Audiences: La Chinoise - A Film in the Making Film | Director |
| 1968 | RainForest Film | Director |
| 1967 | A Stravinsky Portrait Film | Director, Editor, Director of Photography |
| 1965 | Ku Klux Klan—The Invisible Empire Film | Director |
| 1965 | Elizabeth and Mary Film | Producer |
| 1964 | Campaign Manager Film | Director, Director of Photography |
| 1964 | Lambert & Co. Film | Director |
| 1963 | A Happy Mother's Day Film | Director |
| 1963 | Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment Film | Director |
| 1963 | The Chair Film | Editor, Cinematography, Director |
| 1962 | Mooney vs. Fowle Film | Director |
| 1962 | Jane Film | Director of Photography |
| 1962 | Nehru Film | Director |
| 1962 | Kenya: Land of the White Ghost Film | Director |
| 1961 | On the Pole: Eddie Sachs Film | Director, Cinematography |
| 1961 | Adventures on the New Frontier Film | Director |
| 1961 | The Children Were Watching Film | Director |
| 1960 | Primary Film | Camera Operator, Editor, Director of Photography |
| 1960 | ABC Close-Up! TV | Director, Producer (2 ep) |
| 1960 | ABC Close-Up: Yanki, No! Film | Director of Photography |
| 1960 | Frames of Reference Film | Producer, Director |
| 1960 | Integration Report 1 Film | Camera Operator |
| 1960 | Christopher and Me Film | Director, Director of Photography |
| 1959 | A Magnet Laboratory Film | Director |
| 1958 | Brussels Loops Film | Director |
| 1957 | American Football Film | Director of Photography |
| 1956 | A Conversation with Marcel Duchamp Film | Director of Photography |
| 1954 | Toby and the Tall Corn Film | Camera Operator, Director, Editor, Writer |
| 1954 | Jazz Dance Film | Director of Photography |
| 1952 | Omnibus TV | Director (2 ep) |
| 1948 | Louisiana Story Film | Associate Producer, Director of Photography |
| 1947 | To Hear Your Banjo Play Film | Director of Photography |
| 1935 | Canary Island Bananas Film | Director, Writer |